Don Palmer

“ To the dismay of the waiter, the four Explorers leaped nimbly over the terrace railing onto the lawn below.
By this time the man they pursued was midway across the hotel grounds. Unaware that anyone followed, he paused beside a tall evergreen and bent over as if to place something at its base. Now that the stranger was beyond the reflection of the terrace lights, the Scouts could not discern his movements clearly.
“He’s pitching that manuscript!” Warwick whispered. “Let’s grab him quick!”
“We can circle in from behind,” Ken advised. “Be quiet and careful.” ”

“ The Scouts had seen no one. Yet they sensed as certainly as if they had stared directly into a hostile coppery face, that their every movement was being watched.
“With Pedro laid up, Hap coming down with fever, and most of our supplies gone, we’re at the end,” Ken asserted. “The best we can do is make some sort of camp tonight, and start back in the morning.”
“I reckon so,” Jack agreed gloomily. “It’s tough to be licked, but I guess we are. That weakened bridge shows you what the natives will do, if they get good and sore at us.” ”

“ CONTRABAND
Jack slipped back into the hold to report to his companions.
“It’s the old boy himself,” he whispered. “We’re in a pickle!”
“What do we do now?” War asked. “Hide?”
“Captain Carter must know someone is aboard, if our boatman waited,” Jack reasoned. “He’ll find us here quickly enough.”
“He’ll make hash of us!”
“Relax!” Jack advised. “Captain Carter seems to be alone. There are four of us.”
“Anyway, he’s the one to do the explaining—not us,” Ken pointed out. “Our gear is aboard the Shark, or it’s supposed to be. We’ve got a right to be here.”
“He may be armed,” Jack warned. ”

“ The discovery rather unnerved the two Scouts. With Pedro helpless on the rocks below, and Mr. Livingston somewhere behind them, suffering from fever, their situation seemed to be growing more precarious by the moment.
“Hostile Indians probably,” Jack muttered. “Something like this is to be expected after those warning arrows. They’re trying to prevent us from going on. We’re at the fringe of the forbidden country.”
“If the Indians get it into their heads we’re here to despoil treasure temples, I hate to think of the revenge they might wreak on us! We’re in a spot, Jack.” ”

“ Moving hurriedly down the beach, the Explorers climbed a steep path which wound up a high hill to the rear of the mission.
If the Scouts had hoped so easily to elude their pursuers, they learned otherwise. The villagers kept coming on, shouting angry threats, only the general import of which the boys understood.
“They’re plenty mad, and I don’t think it’s about those buried boxes either,” Jack said, looking back. “Something has stirred ’em up. If they try to lay hands on us, it could end in a bloody free-for-all.”
“Let’s make a stand and face ’em,” pleaded War, halting.
Ken pulled him along. ”

“ After the Scout leader had fallen into a restless sleep, he and Ken quietly conferred.
“Our situation is desperate,” Jack said. “We can’t possibly escape down river with Hap as he is now. And if we stay here until dawn, we’re certain to be captured. Maybe we should find Carter and throw ourselves on his mercy.”
“That guy doesn’t know the meaning of the word.”
“He’s a white man, and so are we. He might give us a break if we hit him right.”
“We don’t even know where the old boy has staked himself out for the night,” Ken objected. “If we try to find him, the natives will get us first.” ”

“ Jack estimated the distance to the camp below as not more than three-quarters of a mile. He knew he could make it easily going down, but the climb back would consume time and energy. Still, he might be lucky enough to recover High Hat, and at the same time pick up important information.
War, Willie, Ken and Mr. Livingston were sleeping snugly in their warm bags. No need to awaken them, he decided. They’d need their energy later for the day’s journey. Better to go quickly, and get back before breakfast was ready.
His mind made up, Jack scribbled a note and swung off down the mountainside. ”

“ It’s no good trying to make camp on this side of the stream. Too exposed. If an attack should come, we’d have no protection whatsoever.”
“We’ve lost most of our supplies,” Jack said grimly. “This finishes us, even if Pedro isn’t in a bad way.”
The fading sunlight, splashing on the great rocks, transformed them into glowing fire. But the two Scouts had no thought for the splendor of the scenery.
Working feverishly against darkness, Jack managed to lower Ken to the rock shelf above the stream. He provided first aid, and made a crude splint for Pedro’s leg which had a cracked bone. ”

“ Ken asked. “Swim? No, thanks! I’m not offering myself as shark bait.”
Willie, however, had sighted a fisherman whose motorboat was tied up nearby. “Let’s make a deal with him to take us out there,” he suggested.
“Captain Carter may not like it,” Jack reminded him. “He wouldn’t let us go aboard once before.”
“We can try,” Willie insisted. “Come on! Anything’s better than just standing around.”
The others followed willingly enough. By means of Jack’s Spanish and a dollar from Ken, they were able to persuade the fisherman to take them out to the Shark. ”

“ Jack noticed another trail leading upward at a steep angle. He turned as if to take it, only to have Ino reprimand him sharply. The medicine man pointed to the other path which descended.
“Follow trail,” he ordered.
“Say, you speak pretty fair English,” Jack remarked. “Thanks for helping us out of this mess. But before we go, how about telling us who you really are?”
“Yeah, who are you?” Willie demanded.
“Me Ino.”
“He answers that way to everything,” War chuckled. “For once, it came exactly right! He doesn’t understand much we say, but he’s our friend just the same.” ”

“ EARTHQUAKE TREMORS
A second, harder tremor jarred the room, nearly knocking Jack and Ken off their feet.
“This mission is soundly built,” the old missionary said in a quiet voice. “These ancient walls have sustained a dozen severe quakes. But you will feel safer outside.”
The two Scouts were reluctant to leave Father Francisco, who scarcely seemed able to maintain his balance.
“Come with us,” Jack urged, taking his arm.
“No, I must toll the bell. When my people hear the bell, they know that the quake is not a hard one. It reassures them and prevents panic. ”

“ No further disturbance marred the slumber of the Scouts that night. However, when Jack pulled out of his bag at dawn, he knew instantly that some new disaster had befallen.
During the night, all of the native bearers save Pedro, quietly had deserted, taking with them five burros and nearly a third of the remaining supplies.
Mr. Livingston called a brief council that morning after breakfast.
“You know the situation,” he said. “We may as well face the truth. We’re entering hostile Indian country. Our bearers have deserted, leaving us barely enough rations to get safely back to Cuya. ”

“ Leaving his friends near the tunnel exit, Jack went on to see what he could discover. Upon his return, he reported that the area’s chief attraction was a deep quarry pool.
“This ends our search, I guess,” he admitted ruefully. “When first I found the tunnel, I thought it must lead to the hidden city. No such luck.”
“With natives in the village below us, we can’t hope to escape before nightfall,” Ken said gravely. “Let’s find a hide-out until dark.”
Selecting a rock shelter not far from the quarry lake, the Scouts scooped out a bed for Mr. Livingston in the earth. ”

“ Ino retorted irritably. “You don’t realize your own danger! Once these natives are stirred up, there’s no telling what they’ll do.”
“Captain Carter seems safe enough.”
“Captain Carter is the one who has excited the Indians!” Ino asserted. “He has half convinced them that he is a God greater than their own ruler, Panomuna. Tomorrow at dawn there is to be a test of their powers—a challenge to the Sun God. One or the other will be victorious and gain control. The winner, I fear, will not be Panomuna.” ”

“ The lure of Inca gold led Burton Monahan on a dangerous trip to the mountains of Peru. When word is brought back that he has apparently disappeared, his brother asks “Hap” Livingston and his Boy Scout Explorers to try to find out what happened.
An ancient parchment provides clues to the location of the Treasure Mountain but it cannot forewarn the Explorers of the many hazards—both natural and man-made—that must be surmounted before their goal can be reached. ”

“ Mr. Monahan answered, matching his cool, detached manner. “True, you might shoot and toss us to the fish, but in doing so, you certainly would bring the wrath of the natives down upon your head. Don’t forget that as Ino, the Medicine Man, I still swing a little weight. Do away with me, and you’ll bring the pack down on your back!”
“You over-estimate your quack medical powers, Monahan,” Captain Carter sneered. “But that’s beside the point. Why work against each other when we can make a deal?” ”

“ Ken pointed out. “If we don’t get out of Cuertos soon, I have a hunch our expedition will stall for good!”
“Maybe Father Francisco is right,” War remarked thoughtfully. “Maybe it is foolish for us to try to find Burton Monahan. If he’s been gone so many months, he must be dead.”
“Hey, listen!” Willie suddenly exclaimed.
The others became silent. A peculiar sound, distinguishable as the hum of many angry voices, plainly could be heard.
“What’s up?” Jack muttered, scrambling to his feet.
At first the Explorers could see no one. ”

“ Jack said dubiously. “And if we’re real lucky, we may come upon an Indian canoe.”
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“Whatever we do, we’ll have to do it fast,” Ken urged. “Our chances to get away lessen every minute.”
“Okay, let’s go,” proposed War. “Anything’s better than this hut.”
Thinking of Pedro, Jack still hesitated. “Go,” the guide advised. “Send help. Go!”
“We’ll make it to Cuya somehow,” Jack assured him. “Before you know it, we’ll be back here for you.”
Their minds now made up, the four Scouts quitted the hut. War and Willie supported Mr. Livingston, while Jack and Ken went ahead to search for supplies. ”

“ Now if we produce this evidence to nail Captain Carter, there’s no telling what wild story he’ll come up with to save his skin.”
“We know he’ll try to involve us deeply,” Ken asserted. “He warned us he’ll make trouble if he can. I’m in favor of hiding the boxes. We can tell Hap later, and if he wants us to dig them up, we’ll have to do it.”
“Okay, let’s get at it!” jack consented. “No time to lose.”
Quickly the four Rovers dragged the two boxes to a small dune which rose in front of the dark cliff. Working fast, they dug deep holes and buried the ammunition. ”

“ During the fading hours of the afternoon, the Scouts kept constant watch of the tunnel exit. Neither Captain Carter nor any of the bearers, who had escorted him, reappeared. Three times they saw natives enter the narrow passageway, on each occasion replacing the stone barrier.
As dusk came on, the Scouts again held counsel, deciding that if ever the venture were to be made, it must be soon. Because no one was willing to remain behind, it was agreed that all should attempt the passage together. Jack and Ken were assigned to start ahead and to give a warning in the event of impending trouble. ”

“ Jack, Ken and Willie drew aside to discuss their situation. In whispers, they agreed that without natives to help carry their leader, they never could make it. Even if they were lucky enough to find a canoe or balsa, they could not expect to get farther than the broken bridge. ”

“ Captain Carter fired twice into the crowd. Then, leaping down from the temple steps, he fled up the trail toward the entrance to the treasure lake.
“The man is mad!” Mr. Monahan exclaimed. “Now that he has discredited himself, he should try to escape before the natives turn upon him completely.”
“He’s heading straight for the treasure lake!” Jack cried in alarm. “I’ll bet he has explosives hidden up there somewhere!”
Minutes passed. From their hiding place, the Scouts watched the angry natives pursue the fleeing seaman. Their own position, they realized, was highly precarious. ”

“ Jack blurted out. “We’re Scouts. It’s part of our creed to be honest and trustworthy.”
“I believe you,” the missionary said. “Give the matter no further thought. True, I value the parchment highly, but sooner or later, the culprit will reveal himself.”
“There’s something mighty queer about that manuscript taking wings,” Ken remarked. “First, we lose the translation. Now the original is gone—just when we need it too.”
“We can’t blame this on Captain Carter,” Jack pointed out. “His boat is probably making harbor about now.”
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“That parchment might have helped us find Burton Monahan.” ”

“ Though he insisted it was nothing serious, the Scouts were alarmed to see that he shivered violently and alternately burned with heat.
Toward the end of the afternoon, Pedro, Jack and Ken decided to take the burro and all heavy supplies and push on ahead of the others.
“We’ll make camp and have supper ready by the time the rest of you get there,” Jack promised. “With Hap sick, you can’t go as fast as we can. I’m worried about him.”
“If he isn’t better tomorrow, we’ll have to turn back and forget Burton Monahan,” declared Willie morosely. “Bad luck is coming in large doses now.” ”

“ THE BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS, senior branch of THE BOY SCOUTS of AMERICA, is an organization dedicated towards molding the good character of our boys and promoting their good citizenship. It seeks to instill them with a spirit of civic duty and readiness to help others by stimulating their interest in wholesome and creative activities.
Every boy will enjoy reading about the interesting adventures of The Boys of Explorer Post No. 21 and their capable Scout Leader, George (Happy) Livingston. Ideal stories for boys from 10 to 14. ”

“ Jack said quietly.
“I’ll explain nothing! Get off this vessel and stay clear! You hear me! Get off!”
“We want our equipment. Mr. Livingston—”
“Mr. Livingston—” Captain Carter mocked. “Mr. Livingston! I’m so sick of that name I could vomit! I’m sick of all you meddling, stupid little boys. You call yourselves Rovers—Explorers! One night in the hills and you’ll be whimpering for your mothers. One flurry of poisoned Indian arrows and you’ll come flying back to Cuertos crying for your morning milk!”
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The seaman’s words infuriated the Scouts. ”

“ Jack returned. “We’ve done everything we can to make amends. He distrusts us, and between you and me and the gatepost, I feel the same about him!”
The Explorers consoled themselves with the thought that once their equipment and stores had been delivered at Cuertos, they would be done with Captain Carter. Few freighters, they were told, ever visited the out-of-the-way port.
“Don’t underestimate Captain Carter,” Mr. Livingston advised the Rovers. “He can be very useful to us if we win him over. He knows the ropes and can put us in touch with the right people.” ”